What Causes Food Coming Up To Esophagus While Treating Acid Reflux?

Posted on Mon, 13 Apr 2015

Question: I have benign PACS and rare pvcs. My cardiologist says they are absolutely benign as my heart is structurally healthy and my stress test was normal. The one thing that concerns me a little bit is my heart rate. I have a resting heart rate around 54 -60 bpm. He says this is also normal. I have lost 80 Lbs over the last year through good diet. I was 295 lbs and now I am 216. The reason for my question today is that I get this feeling that food comes up my esophagus it can last a couple of hours to days sometimes but is not constant. I also have acid reflux. Whe I get this feeling I check my pulse and it is considerably slower. Can this be causing my resting heart rate to be lower. Sometimes when I get this feeling I can feel a pressure in my throat and I'll check my pulse and it is in the 50. Can this feeling be stimulation of the vagus nerve?

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (51 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Acid reflux stimulate vagus nerve, causing your symptoms...

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you for asking!
I read your query and understood your concerns.

Yes you are right. I can confirm that your symptoms are related to gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD or acid reflux).

An exacerbated esophageal tissue from acid reflux may trigger palpitations (PVC or PAC) and it also enhance vagal nerve activity. The enhanced vagal activity may be the cause of bradycardias (HR below 60 BPM).

So my advice is to treat properly GERD (PPI, metoclopramid), because by doing so you may also stabilize palpitations and other symptoms. You should discuss with your doctor to treat GERD.

Hope this was of help!
Wish you health!
Dr. SHehu

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (1 minute later)

Thank you doctor . I have an appointment to see my doctor next week. Is it safe to have this and will I be ok?

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (2 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please have patience&wait for the needed time of medication to take effect.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,

You shouldn't worry it can wait for a week or two and it will be ok. Please have patience and wait for the needed time of medication to take effect.

Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (3 hours later)

Hi Doctor. Thank you and I'm sorry for so many questions. I m just really worried as it is a bad feeling and I'm scared when it comes to matters of the heart. I'm a little confused. Is this a disease or is bradycardia just a symptom. I worry that it can give heart complications but my cardiologist says my heart is fine. Would you agree?

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (4 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You shouldn't worry it's not a disease it's only a clinical finding.

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

You shouldn't worry it's not a disease it's only a clinical finding. Your heart is fine and nothing wrong will happen to you as long as your cardiac examinations were normal.

Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar